Owl

by Joanna Orwin

Winner Senior Fiction, 2002 New Zealand Post Children¹s Book Awards A dark shape hurtled out of the fog. The bird turned in a curving steep dive, aiming for Tama. The boy was being dragged beneath it, his feet barely brushing the tops of tussocks. A wild, gripping novel that retells the Waitaha legend of the Pouakai (a brutal, giant eagle creature). The two main characters one a street-smart city kid, the other a studious country boy couldn’t be more different. But after an initial stand-off they learn to work together; they have to. The story has elements of magic and mystery despite the realistic physical setting the distinctive high country. The setting is underlined by local Maori culture. The two boys learn to act independently to deal with things that adults can’t help them with. As a result they learn to cope, gain self-knowledge and inner-strength.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Joanna Orwin is a writer of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Many of her books have been shortlisted for or have won awards, including Children's Book of the Year in 1985 and the Senior Fiction category of the New Zealand Post Book awards for Children and Young Adults in 2002. She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. You can find out more about her on her website at https://www.joannaorwin.com.

Reviews

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. With the Myth of the Pouakai mixed into a modern day tale. A myth which would have been created, from Maori sightings and experiences with New Zealand's now extinct, Haast's Eagle, a gigantic raptor, with a wing span of more than seven and a half feet (2.3 m), the world's largest eagle to have been in existance.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great NZ kids book that I just read (accidentally) for the second time - but I enjoyed it just as much the second time round. I love the main character, Owl, and his relationship with Tama.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to see all the characters' casual racism. I think the author could have dealt with it more strongly though, at least in the first half of the book.

[Tina Laumatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book for my english class and it was honestly so amazing and very enticing it did get a bit boring at ties but i loved reading the book

[Rebecca]

Owl is another book I had to study at school for english but I had already read it so I've read this book twice.

Owl is a relatively medium sized book but I have to say that the interest level in Owl is very very high. I sat down with this book and read it in a couple of hours because I just wanted to know more and more about what was going to happen next.

This novel actually has a mixture of genres. There's a bit of mystery, some archaeology and then there's maori legends mixed in with a bit of fantasy.

All of the characters in Owl are really great. They're all highly lovable and memorable.

Joanna Orwell has written a really magical and great book. If you ever see this one I definitely suggest you read it because it is a really good book.